Developer Q&A: August 17th 2026!
We’re getting closer to our Steam and console release — and a major update! In the meantime, here are answers to some of your questions about the launch and various other parts of the game.
Steam & Console Release
When will you announce the Steam and console release date? Will there be any more demos in the meantime?
When will you announce the Steam and console release date? Will there be any more demos in the meantime?
We’ll announce the full Steam and console release date toward the end of August. Additional demos are unlikely at this point, but if we do run another, we’ll share details in separate news posts.
Any updates on what happens to players who already purchased the game on the Gaijin Store? How will the transition to Steam work for them?
Any updates on what happens to players who already purchased the game on the Gaijin Store? How will the transition to Steam work for them?
Players who bought the game on the Gaijin Store will be able to claim an equivalent edition on Steam. The only exception is for Elite Squad edition owners: they’ll receive the Premium edition on Steam (which includes the same bonuses, just without the extra keys), and any friends who activated the bonus keys from your Elite Squad edition will receive the Standard edition on Steam. The time window to claim a Steam version will be limited — we’ll share full details and dates when we announce the transition.
Any update on additional localizations for the game’s release?
Any update on additional localizations for the game’s release?
In addition to English, German, Russian, and Chinese, we’re working on French, Spanish (both for the major update), as well as Portuguese (for the release). The website will also support these languages, and news posts will be translated into them too.
Gameplay, Raids & Maps
Will the game ever feature dynamic weather?
Will the game ever feature dynamic weather?
A shrinking zone already showcases some dynamic changes: the wind picks up and the color palette shifts. We’re continuing to experiment with this!
In Isolated raids, will teams be able to include more players since it’s only your squad?
In Isolated raids, will teams be able to include more players since it’s only your squad?
We’ll add support for multiple squads to deploy into a single Isolated Raid, similar to something like custom games!
Will you add more interactions and puzzles with items in the world? The Park map stands out because of its item‑combining and puzzle mechanics. Will there be more such "quests" with bits of lore that use acquired items and electronics (for example, unique items from the Heaquarters map like toolboxes, batteries, wires, etc.)?
Will you add more interactions and puzzles with items in the world? The Park map stands out because of its item‑combining and puzzle mechanics. Will there be more such "quests" with bits of lore that use acquired items and electronics (for example, unique items from the Heaquarters map like toolboxes, batteries, wires, etc.)?
We like this kind of gameplay, and it’s clear players do too. We plan to add more of these quests and, more broadly, expand the ways players can interact with the world.
Do you plan to add more bosses or extend the Park map’s investigation set (for example, a deeper basement), or add more hidden areas similar to Park’s underground?
Do you plan to add more bosses or extend the Park map’s investigation set (for example, a deeper basement), or add more hidden areas similar to Park’s underground?
These investigations take a lot of time to create, but we love the results. We’ll continue to introduce new secrets, bosses, and interesting mechanics for contracts and investigations.
What measures are you considering to prevent cheating — both third-party devices and software?
What measures are you considering to prevent cheating — both third-party devices and software?
We’re working to identify cheaters who use third‑party tools through our own systems and analysis. Because this fight is ongoing, we won’t disclose specific methods, so we don’t make life easier for bad actors. We remain uncompromising opponents of unfair play: using third‑party apps to gain an advantage is strictly punishable with a lifetime ban.
Why can an operative be resurrected after their mindvault containing their consciousness has been hacked?
Why can an operative be resurrected after their mindvault containing their consciousness has been hacked?
We aim to give players a second chance within the same raid. We’re continually iterating on resurrection features, including in the new upcoming major update, not to overpunish the killer, but to let the victim learn quickly and apply that experience immediately instead of through multiple loading screens.
Will you be changing the enemy alert/aggro mechanics? For example, when you enter a multi-story building and silently take out two or three enemies with a suppressor, enemies from many other floors immediately seem to rush you.
Will you be changing the enemy alert/aggro mechanics? For example, when you enter a multi-story building and silently take out two or three enemies with a suppressor, enemies from many other floors immediately seem to rush you.
Yes. We’re reworking monster aggression behavior for an upcoming patch. This is one of the patch’s key tasks based on collected feedback from players.
New Features
Will grenades with an impact detonator appear in the game?
Will grenades with an impact detonator appear in the game?
Not currently planned, but it’s possible in the future.
Will factions (and/or Nexus) be available on day one of release? Will it cost in‑game currency, items, or a certain rank to create your own faction?
Will factions (and/or Nexus) be available on day one of release? Will it cost in‑game currency, items, or a certain rank to create your own faction?
We’ll share full information about factions by the game’s release.
Are tanks and helicopters still planned? Will they be added to Nexus soon?
Are tanks and helicopters still planned? Will they be added to Nexus soon?
Heavy vehicles are planned for the battle mode on the Nexus map, where Operatives will represent the interests of syndicates.
Will there be more rusty weapons in the future? We really enjoy malfunction and clearing animations. Do semi‑automatic and bolt‑action rifles have malfunction animations?
Will there be more rusty weapons in the future? We really enjoy malfunction and clearing animations. Do semi‑automatic and bolt‑action rifles have malfunction animations?
We don’t think frequent weapon failures are fun, so we don’t plan to develop that area in too much detail as of right now. For now, malfunctions will likely remain a feature of completely rusty weapons. In addition, we prefer that player actions grant bonuses rather than force routine maintenance of items just to keep them functioning normally. That would mean, if we add weapon‑cleaning, it would temporarily improve performance — not merely restore a battered gun to its baseline.
With the WWII‑themed items already in the game, are there plans to add more pre–Cold War content (e.g., SVT‑40, M1 Garand, STG‑44 — maybe even a PTRS‑41?) and/or one or more WWII‑era maps?
With the WWII‑themed items already in the game, are there plans to add more pre–Cold War content (e.g., SVT‑40, M1 Garand, STG‑44 — maybe even a PTRS‑41?) and/or one or more WWII‑era maps?
New weapons are planned — for example, WWII machine guns like the German MG 42 or the Soviet DP‑27, and probably a Kar rifle. That said, we don’t want to overload the game with older weapons; plenty of other projects already focus on historical arsenals (especially WWII). We will occasionally pay tribute to these legends though so players can add them to their collections.
Do you plan to expand infrared use in the game? Could we get a manual toggle to switch off the NVG IR illuminator? And will accessories like flashlights and laser sights gain their IR modes in future updates?
Do you plan to expand infrared use in the game? Could we get a manual toggle to switch off the NVG IR illuminator? And will accessories like flashlights and laser sights gain their IR modes in future updates?
Yes. Especially as our night raids evolve, we’ll expand the IR‑capable arsenal and related functionality.
Will melee weapons display damage values for comparison, similar to how firearm caliber helps estimate gun damage?
Will melee weapons display damage values for comparison, similar to how firearm caliber helps estimate gun damage?
We’ll address it in future.
Community Requests & Other Questions
Is there an official place to read all the Active Matter lore or story?
Is there an official place to read all the Active Matter lore or story?
For now at least, it’s only in the game, but there’s already plenty to discover through contract and investigation descriptions and updates!
It’d be great if a live wallpaper of the game’s loading-screen/kaleidoscope animation was obtainable, also to use in content creation. Could you make this available?
It’d be great if a live wallpaper of the game’s loading-screen/kaleidoscope animation was obtainable, also to use in content creation. Could you make this available?
Yes; hold my beer...
Were there any concepts that were scrapped during early development — locations, themes, art styles?
Were there any concepts that were scrapped during early development — locations, themes, art styles?
Early on, we considered borrowing some concepts from an event held by our friends at Enlisted.
Can players suggest music or submit original tracks to be considered for cassette tapes or the in‑game music player? Also, will we be able to remove/eject cassettes from cassette players?
Can players suggest music or submit original tracks to be considered for cassette tapes or the in‑game music player? Also, will we be able to remove/eject cassettes from cassette players?
We welcome your desire to be part of our anomalous world! We may indeed open submissions for tracks in the near future; when it’s ready, we’ll share how to participate along with the rules.
Right now, to apply red‑dot sensitivity to the magnifier without changing the sensitivity based on magnification, players must disable the "Realistic magnification in scopes" option, so both features can’t be used together. When will zoomed red‑dot sensitivity and this Realistic magnification setting be separated? Zoomed red‑dot sensitivity could be its own control option.
Right now, to apply red‑dot sensitivity to the magnifier without changing the sensitivity based on magnification, players must disable the "Realistic magnification in scopes" option, so both features can’t be used together. When will zoomed red‑dot sensitivity and this Realistic magnification setting be separated? Zoomed red‑dot sensitivity could be its own control option.
We’ll fix it.
Have you considered adjusting the XP system? After the 0.3 update, prestige feels too fast (players are often able to create a new personal timeline around operative level 15, far from the level cap of 28), yet leveling slows sharply after 20. Since level now affects gameplay more via the skill tree, could higher‑level XP requirements be rebalanced and more actions (e.g., kill streaks) grant XP?
Have you considered adjusting the XP system? After the 0.3 update, prestige feels too fast (players are often able to create a new personal timeline around operative level 15, far from the level cap of 28), yet leveling slows sharply after 20. Since level now affects gameplay more via the skill tree, could higher‑level XP requirements be rebalanced and more actions (e.g., kill streaks) grant XP?
Our goal is to tune game mechanics including progression so they don’t discourage creating a new personal timeline or going for prestige rewards. A good example is that the more time a player invests in a current timeline, the harder it is to choose to prestige. That’s why we fully agree with your point and will make leveling easier and faster, with a smoother curve — especially at higher levels.